Out of Dodge for a Day

This weekend we took a little trip to my grandma's cousin's house about 75 miles from us. Her name is Fannie and she lives in Bamburg. Like me, she is also an Ajo native although we had never met before recently when we each discovered that we lived nearby. Both being Arizona natives (although she's lived here for over 30 years), we automatically felt a bond. She invited us to come see her part of the state. So Cal and I loaded up the kiddos and ventured out into the country to her place. We had such a great time seeing the cows, fields and a downtown that reminds me of Mayberry. Sometimes I just need to see some new scenery and I feel rejuventated. This little trip took care of that need perfectly.

Aunt Fannie has a great place tucked in the woods and surrounded by farmland. We went to her little country church and ate a wonderful Southern lunch. Afterwards, Bry & DJ fed the fish in her pond and ran around too fast for me to keep up and get good pictures. Elle learned to swing on a big kid kind of swing that was just her size and low enough to the ground for her to feel safe on it. I took a lot of pictures of her because she hasn't quite crossed over into the independence that her siblings live in. I have to enjoy it while I still can!

The magnolias were in full bloom and the yard smelled heavenly. They also have a garden that is more like a mini farm. It covers maybe 2 acres of land and has perfect rows of veggetables growing into a harvest. (I should have taken pictures of it- darn!) They said we'll have to come back when the corn is ready to harvest. They also grow pecans, figs, plums, squash, peppers, tomatoes and strawberries. The strawberries were ripe this weekend! The kids loved that. Can't wait to go back.

Oh Happy Day!

Last week my brother, Emitt, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English. I am so proud of Emitt for so many reasons but today I want to give a shout out to him for his accomplishments in graduating. He has put himself through college by working for a travel agency that has given him many opportunities to travel around the globe. While traveling the world, Emitt has managed to stay focused on his education and career goals and I am so incredibly proud of him for it. Last week he flew in for his graduation ceremony from Nicaragua where he is finishing up his student teaching program. Now he is back in South America and will return home sometime next month.

I was so sad to miss his graduation and would have given anything to be there with the rest of our family cheering him on. I also missed Emitt's highschool graduation because I was in Michigan with a 2 week old baby boy back in 2000. Emitt said when he gets his Master's I have no excuse to not be there. I agree and I think I owe him that! I would have been there these two other times if I could have been. Sometimes life's limitations get in the way of what where we really want to be. I was there in spirit both times.

Emitt, I am so proud of you. I'm proud of you and respect you for so many reasons. For the strong man you are who lives with honesty and goodness towards others. For your adventurous spirit. For your creativity. For your sense of humor. For the generocity you've shown all of us over the years. For your tender heart. And for your strong determination to press on when it would be easier to give up. I know this degree is important to you and I know you worked very hard to put yourself through school. I'm so proud of you for staying with it. Congratulations!

Emitt walking the stage:


Emitt with my parents:


Emitt & Stacy:

Update on Elle's 'Little Problem"

First I want to say thanks to the 2 readers who have stuck with me after last week's post on Elle's little BM (or lack of) problem.

Elle is not as bad as last week but still having some little rabbit pellets in the diaper, if you know what I mean. I'm trying to push the fluids but I'm very open to any suggestions that have worked well for you. Please leave a comment with any good advice you might have.

So tonight she looked at me with that look of desperation and says, "POO" as she points to her bottom. When I asked her if she had to go poopy, she said "yeah". I took her to the toilette and she had a very successful evacuation! I'm excited because not only did she get to relieve herself but she also went for the first time on the potty! We made a big deal about it and I'm hoping she'll want to do this again and maybe even begin potty training!

So I guess something good can come out of having a constipated baby. At least you get a warning and can get them to the potty.

It's a Pirate Party!

Yesterday was Bry's 8th birthday and we had a few friends over to celebrate in their pirate best. We had a treasure hunt that lead them around them neighborhood until finally, they landed at the treasure. It was filled with foam swords, handkerchiefs filled with candy, coins, patches and a hoop earring for everyone. The kids all had a great time. Bryant said it was his "best birthday ever"! He loved his gifts, especially his new Powell skateboard which he said was a "dream come true".

The sign the kids and I made before the party:


The treasure-less chest after the kids dug into it:


I love these cupcake cakes. So easy!:


The crew:


Elle loved getting to have a cupcake:


AAARRRRG!:


Sweet Pirate A:


The littlest and toughest pirate:


Pirate C trying to look tough but still looks sweet:


W happy to have his cupcake:


Mean Pirate Dad:

Reflecting and Slow Dancing

Caleb and I started our day at 6am this morning. Normally on Saturdays we don't set an alarm but today is different. Today is a day for celebrating. Our firstborn is 8 today and we're going to have a party to celebrate his sweet life. (I'll post more on that later). So Cal and I got up while the house was still dark and our little treasures were still sleeping. I got in the shower and Caleb headed to the kitchen to start his coffee and begin on our to-do list of about 25 things. When I got out of the shower I could hear Norah Jones playing and went to join Caleb in writing clues for Bryant's treasure hunt today. We got distracted and caught up in the quietness in the house. We began to reflect on our son, our marriage and our life.

We slow danced in the kitchen for a few minutes and enjoyed the goodness of God's blessing and how far we've come since Bryant was born. We determined that right at that moment in time, 8 years ago, I was in the hospital getting very close to the time when we first laid our eyes on Bryant. We thought about how young and in many ways clueless we were. Even though I loved Caleb and Bryant as much as I possibly could that day, I love them even more today. There is more trust, more understanding and more history between us now, 8 years later.

Once again I'm blown away at the one thing from God that has marked my life... GRACE. I'm blessed beyond measure and I have no doubt Who it comes from.

Why me?

...okay, enough reflecting. I have so much to do! make pasta salad, pick up a cake, hang decorations and a treasure chest to hide!

Simple Thought for Today:

It doesn't matter where you live. It matters how you live.

Oh Yeah!

Reason #592 why you shouldn't leave a constipated baby without a diaper on:



...even if it's only for 30 seconds while you run into the other room to grab a new diaper.

Now no one is ever going to want to sit on this bench again. Don't worry, I did bleach the whole area about 5 times. Sorry if this was just way too gross for my more restrained friends (you know who you are). But you know it's happened to all of us moms at some point. I think it's happened to me at least once for each of my kids. Most of you just aren't weird enough to take a picture of your baby's poo like I just did.